Can Darrius Heyward-Bey and the Receivers Finally Catch On?

The Raiders have not had a receiver catch more than 70 passes in a season since Jerry Porter did it in 2005. No receiver has caught more than 50 passes since Ronald Curry did it in 2007.

Those stats are alarming because most teams have at least two guys that can catch 50 passes per season.

Darrius Heyward-Bey and the Raiders receiving group are all young and have "received a pass" the last couple of years. That will not be the case this year.

Heyward-Bey was a top 10 pick, and he will have to show that he can be a No. 1 guy. It took McFadden three years to break out, it took Nnamdi Asomugha four years, it took Robert Gallery three years and a position change and everyone is still waiting on JaMarcus Russell.

The Raiders do have a lot of youth and talent in the receiving group. If they can get two receivers above the 50-catch mark this season, the Raiders will have a great shot at making the playoffs.

Can the Offensive Line Improve?

I am very excited about the future of the Oakland Raiders offensive line. This was a position that was ignored a lot during the Raiders' seven years of losing 10 games or more.

In the last two years, the Raiders have drafted four guys that will most likely be starters for the team eventually. The real question is, how ready are the young guys for next season?

Jared Veldheer looks like he has solidified the left tackle position. It looks like 2010 fourth-round pick Bruce Campbell will be taking over Robert Gallery's former spot at guard.

2011 second-round pick Stefen Wisniewski could be the starting center from day one, and don't be surprised to see 2011 third-round pick Joseph Barksdale start at right tackle or one of the guard positions during the season.

If the Raiders offensive line can prove to be smart, consistent and healthy, they can take the Raiders deep into the playoffs.

Lack of protection in the passing game has really hurt Oakland. A lot of their routes are deep routes, and if the line can't hold the defense long enough, the quarterback won't have time to find his receivers.

Michael Bush

Michael Bush led the Raiders in rushing touchdowns in 2010, and he will be a big part of the Raiders offense in 2011.

Most teams have moved to a two-back system, and the Raiders have one of the best one-two punches in the league.

Darren McFadden is a dangerous back who can kill you with speed and power. Bush is a back that can kill you just by getting in his way.

Not only is he a big back who can punish the defense on the ground, he also has speed and great hands. Bush would be a starter for a lot of teams in the league. Look for him to have double-digit touchdowns in 2011.

Can Special Teams Win Games for the Raiders?

I'm going to go ahead and make it official right now: The Raiders have the best special teams in the NFL.

Not only do they have the best punter in the league and one of the best field goal kickers in the league, but they also have one of the best kick returners in the league.

Shane Lechler, Sebastian Janikowski, Sam Williams and Jacoby Ford are four players who make special teams great.

Teams rarely score on the Raiders special teams, and the Raiders now have a player who can score anytime he touches the ball on kickoffs or punts. They also added Taiwan Jones who can add another threat to special teams.

The Raiders will need Lechler to continue his quest to be the best punter of all-time and will need a better season from Janikowski.

Williams has been a great player for the Raiders, and he should be applauded for what he has done with Oakland for the last nine years. You may not see or hear about him much on the TV, but it's players like him who make the NFL special.

Where Will Nnamdi Asomugha and Michael Huff Be in 2011?

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Two of the best and longest tenured Raiders on the roster may not be coming back in 2011. Most of the speculation is that both Nnamdi Asomugha and Michael Huff will not be in a Raider uniform next season.

Losing a shut-down corner like Asomugha and a play-making safety like Huff will impact the Raiders greatly in 2011. Whispers around the Coliseum are saying that the Raiders will change their scheme in the secondary.

If they do make changes, then losing a guy like Asomugha won't hurt as bad. The Raiders are strictly a man-to-man team that rarely disguises coverages. New DB coach Rod Woodson has made comments that suggest the team will try to disguise more coverages.

If that is the case, not only will that improve their pass defense, but they also will improve in stopping the run. The Raiders' man-to-man defense would sometimes leave them vulnerable to the big play in the run game.

Can the Young Players Step Up?

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

There is a lot of youth in Oakland, and they will have to step up and show they are ready to take the team to the next level. Guys like Rolando McClain, Tyvon Branch, Lamarr Houston, Matt Shaughnessy and others will have to show they are ready to lead the defense.

Darren McFadden, Darrius Heyward-Bey, Louis Murphy and the offensive line will have to show that players in their early 20s can execute and make plays in the NFL.

These players still have veterans like Richard Seymour and Jason Campbell to look up to for guidance, but their time is now. It's time for them to step up on and off the field.

If these young players can be true professionals and show up everyday to be the best, not only will the Raiders be successful in 2011, but they will be great for years to come.

The Manning and Brady Era is coming to an end soon. Most of the solid and young quarterbacks are in the NFC now. Most of the top AFC quarterbacks are in their 30s or approaching their 30s.

A youth movement is coming to the AFC, and the Raiders have an opportunity to usher in the new era in 2011.